we are joined by rachel scott from alabama with the latest. rachel?porter: yeah, well crews have blocked off this area here behind me as they continue their search and rescue efforts well into the night. but this small community is just heartbroken. homeowners say they're not only mourning the loss of their property, they're also mourning the death of their neighbors. search and rescue teams sifting through rubble for survivors in alabama today. >> this is the worst natural disaster that has ever occurred in lee county. >> reporter: a 170 mile-per-hour tornado ripped through lee countries last night. the trail of destruction at least half a mile wide. drones now flying overhead equipped with heat-seeking devices to help look for survivors. >> it is just bad. it is a blessing ae talk about it because there are people missing. >> reporter: homeowners are returning to see the scope of the catastrophic damage. this homeowner tells me what is left of her home is now scattered on both sides of the street. >> one day you got everything and the next day you a

reporting in beauregard, alabama, rachel scott, abc news. >>> food and drug administration official scottieb is stepping down after two years leading that agency. president trump tapped gottlieb in 2017 to cut red tape at the fda. he bucked expectations by pushing the agencies to expand its authority in several key ways including an unprecedented effort to make cigarettes less addictive by requiring lower nicotine levels. >>> a senate committee is taking a closer look at vaccinations and the spreading measles and mumps epidemic. >> among those testifying, a teenage boy who made headlines for wanting to be vaccinated against his parents' wishes. >> reporter: at just 18 years old, ethan linden berger is warning about vaccination misinformation. >> i saw the information was not accurate and because of that and my health care professionals i was able to speak with and the information provided to me, i was able to make it clear, concise and science disk decision. >> reporter: the ohio teen made national headlines when he chose to have himself vaccinated against his parents' wishes. in the wake

th le piecef rulent alabama, rachel scott, abc news. >> our thanks, to rachel there. the u.s.adoes in just about every part of the country. there are ways to increase your chances for survival. >> pay attention to alerts on your cell phone. listen for the warning siren and check what this station is saying a about the threat, take it seriously. >> the safest place is usually a basement or stirredy floor of a building. mobile homes are not safe. >> if you find yourself outside, look for a ditch or depression. don't go under a highway overpass. it may act like a wind tunnel. >>> turning to washington where democrats are digging into the many acets of president trump from the white house to his businesses. >> the president is accusing them of a fishing expedition, asking for more than 80 entities with ties tro trump. democrats are looking into obstruction and abuse of power. the president's two sons and son inlaws are among those contacted. >> you can cross hillary clinton off the list for 2020.fo democr says for the first time publicly she won't be a candidate this time. she doe

. >> rachel scott has the story. >> reporter: after a devastating 48 hours, officials have now identifiedictims killed by sunday's powerful tornadoes. >> one day you have everything. >> reporter: search and rescue crews in day two of recovery efforts. as this ruralhood plans 23 fune. the youngest victim, just 6 years old. >> there's over seven people this man lost in one family. it's a tragic situation. >> reporter: two tornados hit this area nearly the same time. the deadliest, 170-mile-per-hour winds ripping across 24 miles, leaving behind a trail of destruction. >> oh, my god, dude. >> reporter: while some tornadoes touched down for a few minutes, this one was on the ground for almost 30. combine that with the high-speed winds and you have widespread destruction. those whose homes were spared, volunteering to dig through the rubble. >> i think we'll be able to rebuild and recoop and recover. >> reporter: at this hour, several people are missing. officials say they will comb lu every piece of rubble until all are accounted for. and president trump is expected to visit the area on friday